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Grandparenting

Should I say something?

(83 Posts)
Edge26 Fri 30-Jul-21 19:57:59

I dropped off my 2 GS's after looking after them today which I do 2 afternoons a week. They both have slight colds and coughs ( should I even be looking after them ) not covid as they have been tested. Today has been very showery and when they got home it had stopped raining and temperature had dropped. My son changed the younger one's nappy , he is 13 months old,and then let him play outside without dressing him again. I mentioned should he be outside with a cough and cold and no clothes on. He said oh he'll be ok, so bit my tongue and said you're his parent. I mentioned it to my DIL who was sitting inside and she told my son to put some clothes on him. Am I being an old fashioned Grandma where as it's best to keep a child indoors if they are a bit under the weather and do you other Grandma's think I should have said something about keeping him indoors ?

Tangerine Fri 30-Jul-21 20:00:18

I would say nothing in your position.

LovelyCuppa Fri 30-Jul-21 20:10:30

You mentioned it to one parent, didn't like the answer so mentioned it to another?

Summerlove Fri 30-Jul-21 20:14:03

I’d have said nothing.

Sara1954 Fri 30-Jul-21 20:23:49

I wouldn’t have said anything, and I wouldn’t have been bothered about it anyway.

Farmor15 Fri 30-Jul-21 20:32:42

There's little evidence that getting a bit cold or wet will make a cold worse in an otherwise healthy child. I wouldn't say anything. My daughter brings her children (3 and 1) to the swimming pool even when they have colds.

3dognight Fri 30-Jul-21 21:06:47

No you should not have said something, you are overly concerned.

You might have THOUGHT it, but not your place to comment.

If he was actually playing outside then he was probably not feeling poorly xx

cornishpatsy Fri 30-Jul-21 21:20:37

I think if children are well enough to want to go out then fresh air is probably better for them.

Not really a good idea to tell their mother when their father had already said it was ok.

25Avalon Fri 30-Jul-21 21:32:37

Edge26 I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s what grandmas do. It doesn’t sound as if you caused an almighty row between the parents and dil agreed with you. I wouldn’t have said anything about keeping him indoors, I’d have just queried if he was ok outside with no clothes and left it at that.

sodapop Fri 30-Jul-21 21:59:54

cornishpatsy

I think if children are well enough to want to go out then fresh air is probably better for them.

Not really a good idea to tell their mother when their father had already said it was ok.

Spot on Cornishpatsy

Hithere Fri 30-Jul-21 22:15:47

In the future, please do not mention anything

Esspee Fri 30-Jul-21 23:00:02

Unless there is a danger e.g. gate open then it is not for you to criticise your son’s parenting.
I expect your grandson enjoyed being nappy free.

Edge26 Sun 01-Aug-21 12:02:48

Thank you all for your comments. As you say they are their parents so I was probably being a bit overprotective.

Shelflife Sun 01-Aug-21 12:12:52

It is a Grandma thing ! However if parents want Grandma to be on duty so they can work then there is a price to pay and that includes Grandma passing comments regarding childcare - occasionally. I am sure most parents ( my AC included) take advice with a pinch of salt . As long as it is not done too often!!! When grandparents are so involved in childcare it is to be expected they are passionate about the welfare of their grandchildren. Parents can't have the benefits of Grandma duty without expecting her to be involved from time to time.

DiscoDancer1975 Sun 01-Aug-21 12:16:11

I would have done what you did. I hate the idea of saying nothing, then something goes wrong afterwards. You draw their attention to it.

If it had been my daughter, I would have told her and left it there. My son in laws are not the main carers. If it were my sons, I probably would have thought it’s no good telling them, my DILs needs to know.

I wouldn’t say any more after that though, but I would always be concerned about my grandchildren’s welfare, before worrying about how it might sound to the parents. In fact with one of my sons, who can be a bit scatty, my DIL’s rolled her eyes and said, “ has he done that?” thanks for telling me.

There are lots of situations I would remain quiet though. This just isn’t one of them.

Nannarose Sun 01-Aug-21 13:24:02

3 issues here:
1. mentioning something at all - I tend to stick to anything really serious, or of which they may be unaware
2. mentioning it to one parent when the other has already given you a response - no I wouldn't

3. I'm with the brigade that would let them play outside - and I don't know about 'old fashioned' but in the '50s my mum sent us out 'to blow away the germs' if we wanted to!
However, it doesn't matter what the issue was, if giving opinions on parenting these are my rules:

If I am asked
If I am joining in a general discussion, and make it clear I am offering views that are not necessarily to be taken
If I have to make a decision whilst doing child care that hasn't already been covered
Finally - if serious advice about keeping children safe, and there are only a few of those.

I am glad of this forum so that we can share views, please don't think I am being critical, just giving a point of view

Luckygirl Sun 01-Aug-21 17:50:21

You should have said nowt because:

- child will be fine - you are worrying unnecessarily.
- their child, their decision
- you risk a rift over nothing.

Zip the lip is the rule!!

vegansrock Sun 01-Aug-21 18:13:09

I agree being outside in the fresh air probably do him good. Children don’t seem to feel the cold as much as oldies.

Janeea Mon 02-Aug-21 11:07:23

I think fresh air is a good thing if anyone is a bit under the weather

greenlady102 Mon 02-Aug-21 11:16:42

yes you are being old fashioned. If he was happy outside, not shivering or grizzling then he's fine.

greenlady102 Mon 02-Aug-21 11:17:48

Nannarose

3 issues here:
1. mentioning something at all - I tend to stick to anything really serious, or of which they may be unaware
2. mentioning it to one parent when the other has already given you a response - no I wouldn't

3. I'm with the brigade that would let them play outside - and I don't know about 'old fashioned' but in the '50s my mum sent us out 'to blow away the germs' if we wanted to!
However, it doesn't matter what the issue was, if giving opinions on parenting these are my rules:

If I am asked
If I am joining in a general discussion, and make it clear I am offering views that are not necessarily to be taken
If I have to make a decision whilst doing child care that hasn't already been covered
Finally - if serious advice about keeping children safe, and there are only a few of those.

I am glad of this forum so that we can share views, please don't think I am being critical, just giving a point of view

yes, "outdoors in all weathers" is a REALLY traditional belief that has proved to be right

Pippa22 Mon 02-Aug-21 11:19:06

I don’t think you are being “ old fashioned” as tears ago it was deemed a good thing to be running around in the fresh air whatever the weather. There are now nurseries without inside space. The children and staff are outside all the time and I bet they don’t get many infections ! If anyone has a cold it won’t make it worse being outside, you can’t catch a cold going outside either.

grannysyb Mon 02-Aug-21 11:20:50

If I have a cold I always find going outside clears my head.

CleoPanda Mon 02-Aug-21 11:34:58

I think when the parents are there, leave it to them. When you’re in sole charge, entirely your decision.
You’d probably err on the side of caution, and quite rightly so as it saves worrying/fretting over any decisions made.
It’s just so hard when you think one thing and they think another, but probably best to keep it in your head, unless you’ve spotted a danger/problem that they haven’t.

chris8888 Mon 02-Aug-21 11:39:00

I would have said is he ok outside without clothes on, its fine to be concerned. |I wouldn`t have said it to both parents though.